Fair Farms program looks to lift hort labour image

GO TO LAUNCH: Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston, with Growcom chief advocate, Rachel Mackenzie and Freshcare executive officer, Clare Hamilton-Bate, at the launch of the new Fair Farms Initiative at Hort Connections in Adelaide.

The development, through Freshcare, of a voluntary third-party Audited Certification for growers to enable them to demonstrate compliance.

Development of a pathway to qualifications in Human Resources for interested growers.

Queensland-based Growcom has been the main driver behind the initiative with support from the National Farmers Federation, The Voice of Horticulture, the Queensland Horticulture Council and Freshcare.

Ms Ruston said it was always great to see industries showing leadership.

“I deal first-hand with many growers across the nation, and I know that the vast majority of growers work hard to do the right thing, treating their workers fairly and complying with workplace laws," she said.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the reputation of this fantastic industry that has been built by hardworking Aussies has been negatively affected by the actions of a few."

Industry launches Fair Farms Initiative | Photos

She said it would also give them the ability to communicate this to consumers through third-party certification.

“Fair Farms Initiative is being rolled out nationally with the aim to help restore both consumer and public confidence in the horticulture sector’s labour practices,” she said.

“Growcom is showing sector-wide leadership with this proactive approach to tackling the horticulture sector’s well-publicised challenges.”

Ms Ruston echoed that thought.

“It will also help to restore the reputation of the horticulture sector, so that consumers and the wider public can be confident that the sector takes an ethical approach to workplace relations,” she said.

The Fair Farms Initiative is funded by the Australian Government through the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Community Engagement Grants Program.